No, you don't want to have someone chopping through their roots. Go over the proposal in detail before accepting. Maybe also arrange to be present to observe the work if it is undertaken. Nobody is entitled to damage your trees.

Maples are EXTREMELY sensitive to root disturbance. This guy sounds like a quack to me!

K4

In addition to the above, large native maples have large, aggressive root systems, effectively hogging any soil moisture and available nutrients away from smaller plants. That dry, rooty and shady condition makes establishing shrubs, and specifically those that aren't particularly very shade or drought tolerant, quite a challenge. He doesn't seem to have a good grasp on the situation - I'd seriously reconsider using his services.

Unfortunately, one doesn't only need to be well informed of how to properly do a job, but you have to be there to mjonitor any work done in or around your home these days.

The question is, can you plant any shrub under Sugar Maples? Having planted pachysandra under them I know this is quite a chore.

Thanks for the above responses.